An SR-22 is an insurance filing that your state may require in order for you to receive or reinstate your driver’s license. You will typically get a letter from the state letting you know that you need an SR-22 on file to get your license. This type of insurance coverage is necessary for certain situations where a driver is believed to present a higher risk on the road.
What Is SR-22 Insurance Coverage?
An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. Rather, it’s a certificate that your insurance company can provide for any type of insurance policy that meets your state’s minimum requirement for liability coverage. An SR-22 is simply the proof of coverage that’s required for high-risk drivers in certain situations.
What Is the Difference Between SR-22 and Regular Insurance?
There is no difference in your actual coverage when you receive an SR-22. To file an SR-22, you must carry the minimum liability coverage for your state, but you are not required to limit your coverage to the minimum. You can also elect to increase your insurance coverage. In many cases, this is a good idea.
Liability coverage pays for damage and injuries caused to another individual in a car accident. If you’re involved in an accident, your liability coverage will help compensate the other individual. Liability coverage does not provide for your own expenses. Additional coverage that you may want to consider includes:
- Personal injury protection: This covers medical expenses for yourself and others in your car when an accident occurs.
- Collision: Collision coverage will help pay for damage to your vehicle, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: This coverage helps with your own costs if you’re in an accident with someone who is not carrying the proper insurance.
- Comprehensive coverage: This will cover damage to your car in situations where you’re not driving.
Who Needs an SR-22?
Your state will request an SR-22 from you if you’re found to be a high-risk driver. This statement shows that you’re taking the appropriate precautions to financially protect others on the road in the event of an accident. An SR-22 is a common requirement for you to get your driver’s license reinstated after it has been revoked for various violations.
You may need to provide an SR-22 to your state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles if:
- You were caught driving without proper insurance.
- You were convicted of a DUI or DWI.
- You were caught driving with an expired license.
- You were caught driving without a license.
- You received a high number of traffic tickets in a short period of time.
- You haven’t made timely child support payments as ordered by the court.
- You were convicted of involuntary or voluntary manslaughter.
- You have unsatisfied judgments against you.
- You’re seeking a hardship license.
If your state requests an SR-22, you will not be able to get your driver’s license until you sign up for the appropriate coverage and get this documentation from your insurance company. Your insurance company will file the SR-22 electronically with your state.
How Long Does an SR-22 Last?
In most states, you must maintain your SR-22 for at least three years. Your original SR-22 certificate remains valid as long as you continue to make timely payments on your insurance premiums. If you fail to make your insurance payments, your SR-22 will lapse. In this situation, your state may revoke your license or update your SR-22 requirements to state that you need to maintain this certificate for a longer period of time.
Your SR-22 will not cancel itself automatically. Once filed, this remains in place throughout the life of your insurance policy, so you don’t have to think about it again until the requirement for your SR-22 is up.
How To Get an SR-22
The first step to getting an SR-22 is finding the right insurance company. Not all insurance companies will provide this documentation, so it’s important to set up your coverage with a provider who knows how to take care of an SR-22 for you. American Auto Insurance makes it easy to set up your SR-22. You can request a quote for insurance coverage with an SR-22 online in just a few easy steps.
As soon as you have selected your plan and paid the premium, American Auto Insurance will electronically file your SR-22 with the state of Illinois. You can get insurance coverage and your SR-22 certificate all in the same day, as soon as you pay for your plan.
It typically costs about $25 to file an SR-22, but you will incur additional expenses with this type of insurance as well. Most drivers who need an SR-22 are considered high risk. This will lead to an increase in your overall insurance rates. Premiums can go up 5% or more when you’re in an accident, convicted of a DUI, or required to file an SR-22.
How Do I Remove an SR-22?
You can remove your SR-22 at any time by calling your insurance company and requesting that they cancel the SR-22 on file with your state. It’s best to check with your state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles before you cancel an SR-22 to make sure that you no longer need this coverage.
If you accidentally cancel your SR-22 too early, you will have your license revoked. You will then need to deal with the process and expense of reinstating your SR-22 and getting your license back. Verify that your SR-22 is no longer needed before you make this change.
American Auto Insurance makes it as easy as possible to get SR-22 insurance. We’ve maintained our A+ rating for more than 30 years. We offer policies for both vehicle owners and those who do not own a vehicle but still require SR-22 insurance coverage to drive another person’s car. We’re well versed in all the in’s and out’s of an SR-22 and can guide you through the process easily. Contact American Auto Insurance to set up your SR-22 insurance coverage today.
